The Serpent and the Rose by Kathleen Bryan

Title: The Serpent and the RoseAuthor: Kathleen Bryan - a pseudonym for Judith Tarr. I picked out the book thinking she was a new author, as it says "a bold new voice (in) fantasy" on the back cover. But now I would like to read some of her other books.Series: War of the Rose, Book 1Genre: Fantasy Setting: An alternate-history sort of France.Reason for Reading: I saw it in the fantasy section of the library and thought it looked interesting.Finished In: DaysPages: 316Copyright Date: 2007Cover: A man, a woman, and some knights on horseback riding through a barren forest. The trees are leafless, twisted, and a little creepy.First line: "The chapel was made of light."Best part: Difficult to put down, with strong and believable characters. Worst part: Seeing snakes demonized as evil in a patriarchal way just seems weird to me at this point.Imaginary Theme Song: "Just a Girl" by No DoubtGrade: BRecommended for: I think there was more of an alternate history thing going on than I had background for. So, I suspect fantasy buffs who like European history would enjoy it.Related Reads:Shadow of Albion by Rosemary Edghill and Andre Norton. Anno Dracula by Kim Newman.